Arrest perpetrators, says Fortify Rights
A rights-based action group have called on the Burmese government to stop threatening those who speak out about human rights abuses. Matthew Smith, executive director of Fortify Rights, said, “We’re seeing[…]
Govt, military have ‘weaponised aid’, says rights group
The Burmese government and military are “weaponising” aid access in Kachin State, which could amount to war crimes, according to a new report released by Fortify Rights.
Report adds to mounting rights abuse claims in Arakan
A damning new released by Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK adds to mounting pressure on the government to cooperate with the upcoming United Nations fact-finding mission.
Foreign Affairs Human Rights Lead Story News
Malaysia rights panel disturbed by over 600 deaths in detention
Malaysia’s national human rights panel on Tuesday said it was disturbed by more than 600 deaths at immigration detention centres and prisons over the last two years, and called for immediate reform.
Rights groups call on govt to probe case of missing Kachin pastors
Human rights organisations have called on the government to investigate the disappearance of two Kachin pastors in northern Shan State.
Ethnic issues Lead Story News Politics
Aid to Maungdaw trickling rather than ‘flowing’, rights groups say
Aid organisations working in Maungdaw have not been granted the “flowing” access to the restive region that they were promised by the government.
Rights groups urge Obama to maintain sanctions
Two US-based rights groups argue that sanctions on Burma should remain in place until the country makes further progress on human rights abuses.
Burma has fallen short on political prisoners, say rights groups
Burma freed 101 political prisoners last week, bringing the number of political detainees released by Thein Sein to more than 1,200 under his reign.
Constitution Lead Story News Rohingya
MPS launch petition to oppose White Card-holder voting rights
Twenty-eight upper house MPs sign a petition, calling on the Constitutional Tribunal to rule on a recent motion granting voting rights to temporary ID card-holders.
Human Rights Kachin Lead Story News
Rights groups urge justice for Ja Seng Ing, Brang Shawng
Human rights groups ask Burmese government to drop case against Kachin man for filing complaint with Myanmar Human Rights Commission (MNHRC).
Burmese army committed war crimes, says rights group
“The romantic narrative of sweeping political change in Burma is inconsistent with the situation of ongoing war crimes and widespread impunity.”
Government, rights groups at odds on third anniversary of Kachin conflict
As a now three year old conflict in northern Burma continues, rights groups are calling on an otherwise ambivalent Burmese government to put a stop to violations.
Lead Story News Politics Rohingya
Burmese react to Fortify ‘persecution’ report
Following release of a report accusing the Burmese government of Crimes against Humanity in its Rohingya policy, a presidential spokesman labels the report ‘one-sided’ and pro-Bengali, while an Arakanese politician says “Rakhines are scared”.
Ethnic issues Lead Story Video
No peace without ethnic rights
A long festering war between the central government and the ethnic states has torn and divided Burma for over 60 years. Can the current peace process, launched by President Thein Sein in 2011, bring about a lasting peace?
New report accuses Burma govt of systematic campaign against Rohingya
A new report applying genocide laws to the Rohingya situation in Arakan State has been released by human rights organisation Fortify Rights.
Lead Story News Politics Rohingya
Rohingya crisis: Burma govt implicated in ‘Crimes against Humanity’
A report by NGO Fortify Rights implicates authorities in Crimes against Humanity by virtue of explicit targeting of Rohingya Muslims in policies restricting marriage, childbirth rights and movement.
Judge convicts Wa Lone, Kyaw Soe Oo under Official Secrets Act
Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were sentenced to seven years prison after being found guilty of violating the Official Secrets Act.
Labour Issues Lead Story Migrants Issues News
Thai court dismisses charges against Burmese workers in landmark case
A court in Bangkok dismisses criminal defamation charges against workers from Burma who accused a chicken farm of abuses, in a landmark ruling seen as a rare victory for migrant workers’ rights in Thailand.
Rohingya refugee boat restocks after storm in southern Thailand
A boat with Rohingya refugees restocked with essential supplies at an island in southern Thailand on Sunday, authorities said, amid signs that overcrowding in Bangladeshi camps could prompt many others to make similarly perilous sea crossings.
Kachin Lead Story Military News
Police open investigation after 2 Kachins found shot in head
Ministry of Home Affairs says the bodies had “penetration wounds on the left cheek” and the backs of their heads had “exploded”.
Bodies of two Kachin IDPs unearthed; military suspected of involvement in deaths
Burmese authorities on Friday visited a suspected shallow grave in the country’s north that residents said contained the bodies of two ethnic minority men who were detained by soldiers in January, a police officer and a community leader said.
Two Kachin pastors given lengthy prison terms for role in Muse conflict
A Shan State court on Friday sentenced two Kachin pastors to harsh multi-year prison sentences after they were caught up in conflict in Muse Township, with the two men found guilty of all charges brought against them, including “unlawful association.”
International Relations Lead Story News Rohingya
Thailand urged to help Rohingya and avert new wave of boatpeople
Thailand faced mounting calls on Thursday to stop pushing migrants back out to sea amid fears an exodus of Rohingya Muslims from Burma could spark a new wave of boatpeople.
Arakan Health Lead Story News Rohingya
Health care for all in Arakan? Critics say reality belies state counsellor’s assertion
In a speech last week, Aung San Suu Kyi said all people in Arakan State “have access to education and healthcare services without discrimination.” For critics, however, that’s simply not true — a contention supported by a report that Suu Kyi’s own government has embraced.
International Relations Lead Story News Rohingya
As world leaders gather at UN, Burma’s global standing in decline
Burma’s global reputation continues to decline as world leaders condemn the government’s handling of the crisis in Arakan State.
Human Trafficking Lead Story News
Thailand should leave ‘no stone unturned’ after 62 found guilty of trafficking
More needs to be done to ensure that human traffickers are brought to justice and Rohingya migrants are protected, rights groups said on Thursday, after a trial in which 62 people were convicted of crimes including trafficking and murder.
Crime Human Trafficking Lead Story News
Thai judge hands down at least 21 guilty verdicts in major trafficking trial
A judge handing down verdicts in Thailand’s biggest human trafficking trial on Wednesday had announced 21 guilty verdicts by mid-morning from 103 defendants, with judgments expected to last late into the day.
Arakan Lead Story News Rohingya
Security forces on high alert in Sittwe, but situation ‘under control’
Security forces are on high alert in Sittwe amid communal tensions following the death of a Rohingya Muslim man yesterday.
Rangoon media rally in support of imprisoned journalists
The protesting journalists also launched a signature campaign, calling for the repeal of Article 66(d) of the Telecommunications Law.
Calls for answers grow as detained reporters’ fates remain unknown
Three journalists arrested in Shan State are likely to be handed over to police “soon,” a senior government official says, as questions mount as to why the men were detained and pressure grows on the military to reveal their whereabouts nearly 48 hours after they were taken into custody.
